Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of mesoporous zinc selenide agglomerates by nitrogen bubble templates

► Mesoporous ZnSe was successfully synthesized by adopting a 'green' chemistry-water as solvent reaction system. ► By controlling the pH, the ZnSe agglomerates with irregular, coral-like and litchi-like patterns of were obtained. ► The formation rate and moving speed of N2 bubbles influence the morphology of the ZnSe agglomerates. ► This work represents the first case of lichi-like and coral-like mesoporous ZnSe structures reported in the literature.